Skimming device



Feb. 10, 1948. I J, PLUTA ETAL 2,435,696

SKIMMING DEVICE Filed Nov. 25, 1944 Patented Feb. 10, 1948 SKIMMING DEVICE John J. Pluta, Nickolas L. Mayehaiid-Hafi'iMJ St. John, Chicago, Ill ass! gnors'tm v Chicago, 111., a corporation otilllinois Application November 23, 1944, Serial No. 564,846

1 Claiiz'r. 1

This application refers toa portable skimming device andv more particularly to a device for skimming the surface, of molten metal in a crucible. or ladle during the pouring of a metal into a mold so that dross and foreign matter can notenter the mold with'the metal.

We are aware that portable skimmers have been used in the past for the above purpose, but to our knowledge no one has previously devised one capable of performing in the improved manner hereinafter set forth.

More particularly, our invention relates to a novel construction of a skimming device in which the material used for the article may be preferably of a non-wetting nature, as for example of the order of artificial graphite.

Another important object is to provide for a skimming block having a novel form of tapered hole or passage of varied depth to insure effective skimming throughout the pour.

Another object is to provide an improved skimmer with a rounded opening at the spout imparting to the stream a desired shape for pouring and with a relatively flattened opening at the inner end of the skimmer block to produce thorough skimming of the metal even when the ladle is nearly empty.

Another object is to provide a skimmer in combination with a. novel pivoting rod arrangement making it convenient to swing the skimming block out of the way when the ladle is being filled and bringing it accurately back into desired position within the ladle before the pouring operation.

The advantage of using a material which does not wet but which eiiectively skims the molten metal permits the block and its passage to stay clean from dross and oxides which would otherwise clog the channel and hinder the flow of metal.

Another advantage of the structure lies in providing a skimmer with a relatively long and tapered pouring slot of varying depth which results in effective skimming even when the ladle is nearly empty and the surface of the metal isalmost in line with the central axis of the pourmg surface of the ladle. Thus the skimming operation is more thorough than When it is done manually or by the means previously available.

- Another important object is to provide a skimmer with a passage throughout lending itself not only to effective skimming but also permitting accurate pouring into the sprue opening of the mold.

2 scripticnrgad light or the accompanying draw lugs. in which Fig; 1' isafiagiiientary sectional view of askimimir'ig devicej ei'nbodying" our'invention when as sembled with a conventional pouring ladle. V Fig; 2 is a-pla-mfiag'mentary view of the assem bly describedin'coimection with Fi 1.

Fig. 3 is a front view of our novel skimming device.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the novel pouring passage of our invention.

Referring to Fig. 2, the skimming block gen erally designated l is attached as at 2 to the pivot rod 3, the latter member being arcuately movable from a position within the upper rim portion of the ladle 4 by being pivotally mounted at 5 to move within the ladle opening 6 to make an inreduced transverse extension 8 for purpose of attachment to the pivot rod 3 as hereinabove referred to. It should be understood that while it is important, it is not absolutely essential that the material of the skimming head 1 should be non-wetting with respect to the molten metal. Its detailed structural shape, as above described, may likewise be varied.

A significant element of our contribution lies also in the novel form of a tapered pouring passage which insures effective skimming throughout the pour. That is to say, our skimmer is equally efllcient in its performance when the ladle approaches nearly a horizontal position as it is being emptied. This desirable pouring objective is attained as more clearly shown in Fig. 4. In the latter figure the substantially semicircular opening 9 on the block I at the spout or pouring end of the ladle forms a pouring stream of molten metal of desirable shape permitting accuracy when filling the mold, while at the opposite end thereof and gradually approaching such opening at the inner end now referred to, the flattened opening II provides for more thorough skimming when the ladle is nearly empty because of the reduced height of the latter aperture and its broader span. The cross-sectional area of the passage thus defined is preferably unchanged 3 from that of the opening 9 so that it is practical- 1y constant throughout its length, and further insures effective skimming and a uniform metal stream whether the ladle is full or is nearly empty. Thus after the skimmer block I is placed in operative position, and the ladle 4 is gradually tilted to pour the metal therefrom, the inner edge of the skimmer block engages 1711658133 and like impurities holding them'back' so that they will not pass from the ladle. After the metal has been poured, the impurities may be dumped or others.

wise disposed of.

It is apparent that a relatively simple type of tailed form may vary substantially from that embodiment shown without extending' beyond the scope of the claim appended hereto.

We claim:

A skimmer suitable for removable attachment to a ladle of the character described, the said skimmer having a body portion for pivotal mounting upon the ladle and a head portion thickened relative to the body portion, the said head portion having a curved surface-- which contacts throughout with the ladle at an. annular-inner surface'portion of the ladle adjacent to the-rim of the latter, the portion of the curved-surface of skimming device has been 'provided andits-dethe thickened head in contact with the ladle being interrupted by a grooved passage extending through a substantially medial portion thereof for the flow of molten metal therethrough, the said passage on its longitudinal axis being tapered in a plurality of planes and. the depth of the said passage being greater at that portion of the head immediately adjacent the ladle rim'than at the opposite or lower'end of the passage on the head portion, the cross-sectional area or the passage -'being substantially constant throughout its length.-

' JOHN J. PLUTA.

'NICKOLAS L. MAYER. HARRY M. ST. JOHN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

V UNITED STATES PATENTS 207,102 Germany Feb. 18, 1909 

